Skip to main content
Museum of Freemasonry

Masonic Periodicals Online

  • Explore
  • Advanced Search
  • Home
  • Explore
  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Nov. 16, 1861
  • Page 11
  • NOTES ON .LITERATURE-. SCIENCE AND ART.
Current:

The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Nov. 16, 1861: Page 11

  • Back to The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Nov. 16, 1861
  • Print image
  • Articles/Ads
    Article NOTES ON .LITERATURE-. SCIENCE AND ART. ← Page 3 of 3
    Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 1
    Article THE MASONIC MIRROR. Page 1 of 1
    Article METROPOLITAN. Page 1 of 2 →
Page 11

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Notes On .Literature-. Science And Art.

that it is certain that Babylonian tradition spoke of the practice of writing of some kind , in the age before the Flood . This , I believe , was the very system which we find in full vigour in iEgypt in the twenty-fifth century B . C . ; for nothing can account for the fact of a system so complete having prevailed in that country almost from the beginning of its history , without the least trace of one less perfect having preceded it , but acquiescence in these traditions , so far at least as to regard it as one which had descended

to the yE gyptians from antediluvian times . If , then , the art of writing was practised before the Flood , the children of Shem and Japhet would he acquainted with it , as well as the children of Ham . " Mr . Warrington W . Smyth , M . A ., P . R . S ., has just commenced a series of forty lectures on Min eralogy , at the Government School of Mines . Hog-hunting in Lower Bengal , by Mr . Peter Carpenter , is in preparation , with illustrations .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

iZVie Editor it not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . MARK MASONRY . TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAB . SIR AND BROTHEII . —Being aware that you have taken much interest in Mark Masonry , and consequently an admirer and friend to this beautiful part of the noble

Craft , I will feel much obliged if you inform me and others of the numbers of all the Mark lodges in England , and where they are held . This information in your Magazine may be the cause of removing several objections which are frequently made against it ; and also if you have ascertained what Grand Lodge the Mark Masons at Hythe hold thenwarrant from .

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Tours Fraternally , J00 [ We have frequently applied to Bro . Binckes , the Secretary to the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons , for the information without success . We believe that , as a rule , the

degree has not taken in England , and very few of the lodges are in working order . Probably some brother at Hythe will answer the other query . —En . ]

GEEEK FIKE . —This wonderful projectile , called also "liquid fire , " is said to have heen invented by one Callinicus , a machinist of Heliopolis , about the 7 th century , and it was used with terrific effect by the Greeks long before it became known to other nations . Though its exact elements , and their proportions , can now be a matter of conjecture merely , it is reasonable to suppose that naphtha , pitch , and sulphur were some of its principal ingredients . It was usuallkept in jars or large bottlesand could be propelledin its

y , , fluid state , from the prows of ships , and from fortifications , with as much precision as water is now thrown from a fire engine . The moment it was exposed to the air it ignited , and became a continuous stream of fire , carrying with it excruciating torture and inevitable destruction . Unlike other combustibles , water increased , rather than diminished its power ; it could only be extinguished hy vinegar , or stifled by sand ; while to its other horrors were added a dense smoke , a loud report , and a most disgusting smell .

. Being thrown on the decks of vessels , and into besieged places , it ignited whatever it came in contact with . Not unfrequently the heads of arrows , wrapped round with tow , were dipped into this horrid preparation , and became the couriers of lurid fire and death . No wonder that the stoutest heart dreaded it ; no wonder that it should always be mentioned with horror , and that results almost incredible should have been attributed to it . Happily for humanity , its composition is now unknown ; the secret of it appears to have been lost ahout the same period when gunpowder was discovered—as if God , in mercy , would not allow two audi scourges to exist together . —Boy's Own 3 £ agisine ( November ) .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC MEMS . The following has been going the round of the newspapers — " The Freemasons of Italy—who now enjoy the full benefit of a free Constitution under their enlightened King , Victor Emanuelhave unanimously elected General Garibaldi their Grand Master . This great movement will have an important effect in affording

security to the throne , and consolidating the liberties of the people . " This has , however , been contradicted by the Grand Lodge of Italy , it being stated that the party elected is Chevalier Negra , the present representative of Italy in Paris . The North British Mail says : — " We understand that the Duke of Atholl , as Grand Master Mason of Scotland , lodged a protest

with the Prince Consort against his laying the foundation-stones of the Post-office and Industrial Museum , at Edinburgh , on the ground that it was the province of the Grand Master Mason to perform that ceremony in the case of all public buildings . " We can hardly suppose the noble Duke can have taken any such step . If the duty said to be claimed , was always confided to the Grand Master of Freemasons in England , he would have something more to do than he has at present .

The Prov . Grand Lodge of Derbyshire will be held at the Assembly Rooms , Derby , on Tuesday , Nov . 26 th , at two o ' clock in the afternoon . -The anniversary of the Tyrian Lodge , for the installation of the W . M ., will be held on the same day . A Grand Conclave of Masonic Knight Templars is summoned to be held at the Freemason ' s Tavern on the 6 th December .

A special meeting of the Governors and Subscribers of the Boy ' s School is convened for the 22 nd inst . to consider a proposition for purchasing the land opposite the School House at Wood Green . We last week stated that Mr . Frederick Russell , the new Master of the School , was lately second Master of the Grammar School of Brentford , whereas , it should have been of Brentwood , an old endowed school founded upwards of three hundred years .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

PnasNlx LC-BOE . ( No . 202 ) . —The first meeting of this lodge for the season was held , on Saturday last , at the Freemason ' s Tavern , Bro . J . Bell McEntyre , W . M ., presiding . The business was purely formal , but a very pleasant evening was spent . The visitors were Bros . Simpson , Durrant , and Wilson . LODGE or ISBAET , ( NO . 24-7 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the London Coffee House , on Nov . 12 , under the presidency of

Bros . Solomon , W . M . ; Morris , S . W . ; and Engel , J . W . Mr . George Bowes was initiated into the order , and Bro . Barlow raised to the third degree . The petitions of a distressed brother , and the widow of another , having been considered , they were relieved . On the motion of Bro . J . M . Harris , seconded by Bro . Ladd , P . M ., it was resolved to give the votes of the lodge , at the next election for the Royal Benevolent Institution , to the widow of Bro . Philip Broadfoot .

INSTRUCTION . ROYAIJ ATHEMTAIT LODS-E ( NO . 19 ) . —ANNUAL BANQUET . — On Thursday the 7 th ins < ., the annual banquet of the above Lodge of Instruction was held at Bro . James W . Adams ' , Union Tavern , Air-street . Bro . Gale , P . M . of the parent lodge , in the absence of Bro . Caldwell , presided , and Bro . Thomas A . Adams , G . Pursuivant , officiated as Vice President . The supper was , like all at Bro . Adams ' s , profuse , excellent , and piping hot . About forty brethren were present , amongst whom we recognised Bros .

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1861-11-16, Page 11” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 9 June 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_16111861/page/11/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
CONSTITUTIONS OF FREEMASONRY. Article 1
ARCHITECTURAL STUDY AND ARCHITECTURAL PROGRESS. Article 3
GENERAL ARCHITECTURAL INTELLIGENCE. Article 5
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 7
NOTES ON .LITERATURE-. SCIENCE AND ART. Article 9
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 11
THE MASONIC MIRROR. Article 11
METROPOLITAN. Article 11
PROVINCIAL. Article 12
CHANNEL ISLANDS. Article 14
INDIA. Article 15
ROYAL ARCH. Article 16
LADY MASONRY IN SCOTLAND. Article 16
Obituary. Article 17
NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. Article 17
PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. Article 17
THE "WEEK. Article 18
SPECIAL NOTICE. Article 20
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 20
Page 1

Page 1

1 Article
Page 2

Page 2

1 Article
Page 3

Page 3

2 Articles
Page 4

Page 4

1 Article
Page 5

Page 5

1 Article
Page 6

Page 6

1 Article
Page 7

Page 7

2 Articles
Page 8

Page 8

1 Article
Page 9

Page 9

2 Articles
Page 10

Page 10

1 Article
Page 11

Page 11

4 Articles
Page 12

Page 12

3 Articles
Page 13

Page 13

1 Article
Page 14

Page 14

3 Articles
Page 15

Page 15

3 Articles
Page 16

Page 16

4 Articles
Page 17

Page 17

3 Articles
Page 18

Page 18

3 Articles
Page 19

Page 19

1 Article
Page 20

Page 20

3 Articles
Page 11

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Notes On .Literature-. Science And Art.

that it is certain that Babylonian tradition spoke of the practice of writing of some kind , in the age before the Flood . This , I believe , was the very system which we find in full vigour in iEgypt in the twenty-fifth century B . C . ; for nothing can account for the fact of a system so complete having prevailed in that country almost from the beginning of its history , without the least trace of one less perfect having preceded it , but acquiescence in these traditions , so far at least as to regard it as one which had descended

to the yE gyptians from antediluvian times . If , then , the art of writing was practised before the Flood , the children of Shem and Japhet would he acquainted with it , as well as the children of Ham . " Mr . Warrington W . Smyth , M . A ., P . R . S ., has just commenced a series of forty lectures on Min eralogy , at the Government School of Mines . Hog-hunting in Lower Bengal , by Mr . Peter Carpenter , is in preparation , with illustrations .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

iZVie Editor it not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . MARK MASONRY . TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAB . SIR AND BROTHEII . —Being aware that you have taken much interest in Mark Masonry , and consequently an admirer and friend to this beautiful part of the noble

Craft , I will feel much obliged if you inform me and others of the numbers of all the Mark lodges in England , and where they are held . This information in your Magazine may be the cause of removing several objections which are frequently made against it ; and also if you have ascertained what Grand Lodge the Mark Masons at Hythe hold thenwarrant from .

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Tours Fraternally , J00 [ We have frequently applied to Bro . Binckes , the Secretary to the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons , for the information without success . We believe that , as a rule , the

degree has not taken in England , and very few of the lodges are in working order . Probably some brother at Hythe will answer the other query . —En . ]

GEEEK FIKE . —This wonderful projectile , called also "liquid fire , " is said to have heen invented by one Callinicus , a machinist of Heliopolis , about the 7 th century , and it was used with terrific effect by the Greeks long before it became known to other nations . Though its exact elements , and their proportions , can now be a matter of conjecture merely , it is reasonable to suppose that naphtha , pitch , and sulphur were some of its principal ingredients . It was usuallkept in jars or large bottlesand could be propelledin its

y , , fluid state , from the prows of ships , and from fortifications , with as much precision as water is now thrown from a fire engine . The moment it was exposed to the air it ignited , and became a continuous stream of fire , carrying with it excruciating torture and inevitable destruction . Unlike other combustibles , water increased , rather than diminished its power ; it could only be extinguished hy vinegar , or stifled by sand ; while to its other horrors were added a dense smoke , a loud report , and a most disgusting smell .

. Being thrown on the decks of vessels , and into besieged places , it ignited whatever it came in contact with . Not unfrequently the heads of arrows , wrapped round with tow , were dipped into this horrid preparation , and became the couriers of lurid fire and death . No wonder that the stoutest heart dreaded it ; no wonder that it should always be mentioned with horror , and that results almost incredible should have been attributed to it . Happily for humanity , its composition is now unknown ; the secret of it appears to have been lost ahout the same period when gunpowder was discovered—as if God , in mercy , would not allow two audi scourges to exist together . —Boy's Own 3 £ agisine ( November ) .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC MEMS . The following has been going the round of the newspapers — " The Freemasons of Italy—who now enjoy the full benefit of a free Constitution under their enlightened King , Victor Emanuelhave unanimously elected General Garibaldi their Grand Master . This great movement will have an important effect in affording

security to the throne , and consolidating the liberties of the people . " This has , however , been contradicted by the Grand Lodge of Italy , it being stated that the party elected is Chevalier Negra , the present representative of Italy in Paris . The North British Mail says : — " We understand that the Duke of Atholl , as Grand Master Mason of Scotland , lodged a protest

with the Prince Consort against his laying the foundation-stones of the Post-office and Industrial Museum , at Edinburgh , on the ground that it was the province of the Grand Master Mason to perform that ceremony in the case of all public buildings . " We can hardly suppose the noble Duke can have taken any such step . If the duty said to be claimed , was always confided to the Grand Master of Freemasons in England , he would have something more to do than he has at present .

The Prov . Grand Lodge of Derbyshire will be held at the Assembly Rooms , Derby , on Tuesday , Nov . 26 th , at two o ' clock in the afternoon . -The anniversary of the Tyrian Lodge , for the installation of the W . M ., will be held on the same day . A Grand Conclave of Masonic Knight Templars is summoned to be held at the Freemason ' s Tavern on the 6 th December .

A special meeting of the Governors and Subscribers of the Boy ' s School is convened for the 22 nd inst . to consider a proposition for purchasing the land opposite the School House at Wood Green . We last week stated that Mr . Frederick Russell , the new Master of the School , was lately second Master of the Grammar School of Brentford , whereas , it should have been of Brentwood , an old endowed school founded upwards of three hundred years .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

PnasNlx LC-BOE . ( No . 202 ) . —The first meeting of this lodge for the season was held , on Saturday last , at the Freemason ' s Tavern , Bro . J . Bell McEntyre , W . M ., presiding . The business was purely formal , but a very pleasant evening was spent . The visitors were Bros . Simpson , Durrant , and Wilson . LODGE or ISBAET , ( NO . 24-7 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the London Coffee House , on Nov . 12 , under the presidency of

Bros . Solomon , W . M . ; Morris , S . W . ; and Engel , J . W . Mr . George Bowes was initiated into the order , and Bro . Barlow raised to the third degree . The petitions of a distressed brother , and the widow of another , having been considered , they were relieved . On the motion of Bro . J . M . Harris , seconded by Bro . Ladd , P . M ., it was resolved to give the votes of the lodge , at the next election for the Royal Benevolent Institution , to the widow of Bro . Philip Broadfoot .

INSTRUCTION . ROYAIJ ATHEMTAIT LODS-E ( NO . 19 ) . —ANNUAL BANQUET . — On Thursday the 7 th ins < ., the annual banquet of the above Lodge of Instruction was held at Bro . James W . Adams ' , Union Tavern , Air-street . Bro . Gale , P . M . of the parent lodge , in the absence of Bro . Caldwell , presided , and Bro . Thomas A . Adams , G . Pursuivant , officiated as Vice President . The supper was , like all at Bro . Adams ' s , profuse , excellent , and piping hot . About forty brethren were present , amongst whom we recognised Bros .

  • Prev page
  • 1
  • 10
  • You're on page11
  • 12
  • 20
  • Next page
  • Accredited Museum Designated Outstanding Collection
  • LIBRARY AND MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1058497 / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025

  • Accessibility statement

  • Designed, developed, and maintained by King's Digital Lab

We use cookies to track usage and preferences.

Privacy & cookie policy